Punjab openers star in win

The Kings XI Punjab continued their fine form in the IPL as they notched up their ninth victory of the tournament when they defeated the Deccan Chargers by 6 wickets at Mohali today. The Deccan Chargers continue to languish at the very bottom of the table after this defeat.

The Deccan Chargers chose to bat first on a flat wicket and for the first time, their openers gave them a solid start. Gilchrist and Gibbs put on a partnership of 79 runs before Gibbs fell to Gagandeep Singh. Rohit Sharma was once again at his best as he notched up a fluent fifty which came in just 27 balls.

The Chargers finished with a fighting total of 175, and the hosts had their task cut out when they came out for the chase. Shaun Marsh, a strong contender for the Man of the Series, once again showed confidence and poise. Everything this man touches seems to turn to gold, as he played a chanceless innings of 60, putting on a vital opening partnership of 84 runs with Sangakkara.

Sangakkara came out all guns blazing as he went after the bowling, much unlike the more careful Test star one is used to. The 84 run opening stand that Marsh and Sangakkara forged together swung the match entirely in Punjabs' favour.

Punjab were in tiny bit of trouble when they lost 4 wickets by the end of the 17th over, but Piyush Chawla came in towards the end and hit a crucial six off Styris to guide the hosts home with 3 balls to spare.